Killer dialogue: when bacteria are told to do so they form biofilms on solid surfaces which reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. Richard Corfield looks at ways of inhibiting these instructions.(Bacteria)

From: Chemistry and Industry | Date: February 26, 2007| Author: | Copyright information

The idea of alien intelligences calmly watching our every move and discussing the right time to take the Earth from us is the stuff of books, movies and nightmares. But how would you feel if you knew that every time you sat in the dentist's chair your dentist was fighting a losing battle with exactly such a foe?

One of the most startling discoveries to come out of the burgeoning world of microbiology in the past two decades is the fact that bacteria can communicate. In fact, not just communicate but converse on a level where they can induce each other to switch on dormant ...

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